An RTB (Return To Base) guarantee, in the context of product warranties, specifies that if a product fails due to a manufacturing defect within the warranty period, the customer is responsible for returning the product to the designated repair center.
Here's a breakdown of what that typically entails:
- Return Responsibility: The customer must ship the defective product back to the manufacturer's repair center.
- Shipping Costs: Usually, the customer is responsible for the prepaid shipping costs associated with returning the item. As per the definition, "the scanner should be delivered prepaid to the nearest repair centre".
- Repair or Replacement: Once the manufacturer receives the item, they will assess the issue and either repair or replace it, according to the warranty terms.
- Return Shipping (from Manufacturer): After the repair or replacement, the manufacturer typically covers the cost of shipping the repaired or replacement product back to the customer.
- Warranty Period: This guarantee is only valid during the specified warranty period.
- Manufacturer's Defect: The failure must be due to a manufacturing defect, not user damage or misuse.
Example:
Imagine you purchased a scanner with an RTB warranty. After a few months, it stops working. You contact the manufacturer, and they determine the issue is covered by the warranty. To utilize the RTB guarantee, you would need to:
- Obtain a Return Authorization (RA) from the manufacturer.
- Carefully package the scanner.
- Ship the scanner, prepaid, to the address provided when logging the RA.
- The manufacturer will then repair or replace the scanner and ship it back to you.
